Located north of Sunset Blvd. and east of the 405 freeway, Bel Air is one of the stateliest neighborhoods in all of Southern California. It has a notably low population density and is accordingly private. Green hills and palatial single-family homes make up most of its scenery, though Bel Air is also known for its educational institutions—The American Jewish University, Stephen S. Wise Elementary, Marymount High, etc.

Golf and tennis are readily available at the Bel Air Country Club, and Bel Air residents have easy access to the food, culture, and commerce of Westwood Village, Century City, and Sherman Oaks. Traffic permitting, the night life of West Hollywood and the posh shops of Beverly Hills are also reasonably close. While Bel Air is home to a small handful of grocery stores, gas stations, etc., it is almost exclusively residential—predominantly geared toward scenery and privacy—though fine dining is certainly possible at a few elite, high-priced restaurants (Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, for example).

Biking and walking about are great for leisure in this area, but should not be considered primary modes of transportation; likewise, public transit is not generally considered a viable option. Primary arteries: Sunset Blvd., the 405 freeway, Beverly Glen Blvd.